Defensive back AJ Westbrook enjoying breakout year for Bucs

Tuesday

Nov 26, 2013 at 5:30 AMNov 26, 2013 at 5:55 PM

Junior has returned four interceptions for touchdowns.

By Brian Linderbrian.linder@news-jrnl.com

DAYTONA BEACH — Following Mainland's Monday practice, AJ Westbrook took a moment to recall the touchdowns he has scored this season.He got to the second before stalling.“I don't know why I can't remember the third,” he said smiling.For the record, Westbrook has four touchdowns. That would not be a big number for a tailback or receiver, but Westbrook is a defensive back. And, for a defensive back to have that many scores — Westbrook has returned all four of his interceptions for touchdowns — is impressive. It also makes him the most prolific scorer on a defense that has 12 touchdowns in 12 games. While the third may be the forgotten one of the bunch, the fourth is still fresh in everyone's memory.That came on the first play of the Bucs' 21-6 win over Leesburg in the Class 6A regional semifinals. Jabari Dunham floated a pass into the flat, and Westbrook took it 30 yards to the house. After the game, he credited film study for his big play. “I asked him, 'How much did you watching film and understanding what was coming at you help you?'” Mainland coach Scott Wilson said. “And, he said, 'A lot.' The thing about him is, if you look at his core GPA, right now, he is sitting with a 3.1 core GPA. So he works hard on campus. He is an intelligent young man, and he is one heck of an athlete.”Kailik Williams said the play was a game changer.“It just felt like was going to be an easier game from that point on,” he said.Surprisingly though, Westbrook said the fourth was not his favorite. Instead, he said the first, which came in the season opener against DeLand, sticks out.Turns out he put a little brain power — albeit in a much different way — into that one, too. “I like the first one the best because I visualized it the day before,” Westbrook said. “Every Thursday I picture myself getting an interception or doing something that can help the team.”And every Friday this season he has made good on his visualizations.Heading into Friday's regional finals game against South Fort Myers, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound junior has 76 tackles — six for loss — a sack, three fumble recoveries and nine pass break-ups to go with his interceptions. “It feels good,” Westbrook said of his production. “At the beginning of the season, (Bucs safety DJ Copeland) was getting all the exposure. I was kind of jealous. I wanted some of that, too.”This week, Westbrook has gotten started on his visualizing early. He said South Fort Myers has a physical running game, and that he expects he might have to play around the line to help against the run. But, he said, at some point they will throw the ball.“I always think I will get an opportunity,” he said.When that happens, Bucs' fans can expect big things. And Wilson said there is no reason to look for less from Westbrook moving forward.“This is how Mainland always is,” he said. “The ones that are seniors are known and are the ones that are talked about. But he is one that has been under-the-radar and will be talked about a lot next year, especially after the year he has had.”